Patrice Talon's reign is coming to an end. The Beninese president will leave office on May 24th. Just 10 days left, then, for the occupant of the Marina Palace, who has most certainly reserved a moving truck.

Yesterday, Wednesday, May 13, the statesman presided over one of his last cabinet meetings. On this occasion, he paid tribute to President-elect Romuald Wadagni, his long-time Minister of Finance, as well as to the other Ministers of State, namely Abdoulaye Bio Tchané and Pascal Iréné Koupaki.

"Those whom I may have offended in the conduct of the government team, I hope they will forgive me for that."

The leader also took the opportunity to apologize to all of his colleagues, whom he said he sometimes pushed around for the greater good.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Ministers, my gratitude is boundless. And I would ask you to forgive me for any hardship you may have suffered because of my character, which can sometimes border on rectitude. But this is simply due to my desire to go as far as possible. Those whom I may have offended in leading the government team, I ask you to forgive me for that,” declared Patrice Talon. He says he has “affection for each of them,” even if he sometimes hesitates to show it out of modesty.

"Our team also included this brave lady who gave me so much."

The Beninese leader also paid tribute to First Lady Claudine Gbenagnon Talon. "My wife has never been here (in the Council of Ministers room), but she has always been with me, supporting me in my decisions, my well-being, and my health. You know, I carried out my duties with dedication, but she carried out them alongside me. She was with me in all my decisions."

She advised me in all my decisions, and I believe that if I have any merit, I owe it to her. Our team also included this brave lady who gave me so much,” said the Marina tenant.